SIMPLY MAGNIFICENT

For more than 50 years, BMW's M division has been thrilling drivers. We look at its amazing past - and preview an exciting future

- Tom Jervis

"WIN on Sunday, sell on Monday" - the fabled words and mantra of Bob Tasca Sr, a Ford dealer in the sixties and creator of the Mustang Cobra Jet drag racer. It's a philosophy that resonates with car makers to this day, but in 1972, Robert A Lutz took these American principles, learned during his time at General Motors, and applied them to his new role at BMW.

After a pivotal meeting with his fellow board members, Lutz and 34 colleagues founded the BMW Motorsport GmbH subsidiary - and unknowingly prompted the start of a cult of enthusiasts, all worshipping a single letter.

More than 50 years on, BMW M (renamed as such in 1993) is undoubtedly one of the most beloved names in the automotive industry. And during those five decades, it's been responsible for producing and powering some of the most venerated sports cars we've ever seen.

To find out exactly what transformed a small spin-off into a household name, we visited the firm's home in Munich. At the time of M's formation, BMW had long been involved in motorsport and appeared to be going from strength to strength. In 1969, the BMW 2002 TIK was the first turbocharged car to win the European Touring Car Championship (ETCC), while in the same year, a BMW engine-powered Lola helped Hubert Hanhe secure runner's-up spot in the Formula 2 European championship.

With a desire to claim victory in the ETCC again, BMW Motorsport's first task was to take the 3.0 CS, the successor to the 2000 series car, and ready it for racing. The result was the 3.0 CSL, with the 'L' standing for 'lightweight'. Weighing in at 200kg less than the standard car, and with an output of 203bhp, the CSL lived up to its name with a power-to-weight ratio of one horsepower per 6.1kg, which was exceptional for the time.